Charlotte On The Cheap

Live well in the Queen City on a budget

Win 4 tickets to Carolina Renaissance Festival

POSTED BY
Jody Mace

Carolina Renaissance Festival is making the Charlotte area more festive and fun, for the 33rd season! When is the Carolina Renaissance Festival? It is taking place Saturdays and Sundays from October 3 to November 22, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The event is rain or shine, except for VERY severe weather.

It is once again on a 250-acre farm north of Charlotte, between Concord and Huntersville, at the junction of NC-73 and Poplar Tent Road. Find directions here.

Tickets are on sale now. Purchase tickets at Carolina.RenFestInfo.com.

We are giving away LOTS of FREE tickets to Charlotte on the Cheap subscribers throughout the season, starting now! Keep reading to enter the contest.

Also, read on to enter to learn about discount days!

Photo courtesy of Carolina Renaissance Festival

Ticket Prices

  • $37.99 for adults
  • $23.99 for children ages 5-12
  • Free for children ages 4 and under
Photo courtesy of Carolina Renaissance Festival

Ticket Giveaway

We will be giving away a lot of vouchers on Charlotte on the Cheap. Here’s how to win.

First, you need to be a newsletter subscriber. We send out one newsletter every morning with information about what’s going on in the Charlotte area, with an eye to “free and cheap.”

Then, scroll down to the comment section of this article and leave a comment. (You might need to scroll for a while!) Make sure to enter with the email address you use to subscribe to the newsletter. Don’t put the email address in the comment field, just in the email field. That way it won’t be visible to the public.

Subscribe to Charlotte on the Cheap

Winners of Contests

As contests end, we’ll list the winners’ names here, obscuring a few letters of last names, for privacy. We also email the winners, so make sure to check your inbox and spam folder.

  • September 7: Amy V. K.
  • September 16: Elizabeth L**b

Current Contest

The current contest is for FOUR ticket vouchers. The contest will end September 23, 2026, and we will email the winners. The email will include the voucher codes. You’ll redeem tickets with the voucher codes.

Photo courtesy of Carolina Renaissance Festival

Discount and Special Event Days at Carolina Renaissance Festival

Learn about the special weekends at Carolina Renaissance Festival.

For most of the discounts you’ll need a coupon. Coupons will arrive at Harris Teeter, Autobell Car Wash, Chick-fil-A locations and Local Trend in Charlotte the week of September 15, 2026.

Opening Invasion Celebration

October 3 and 4
Save $26 with two adult tickets.
Two adult tickets for $47.99
Coupon required (see above)
More info

Deaf Awareness Day

October 10
Certified sign language interpreters will interpret performances on select stages
Members of the deaf and hard of hearing community, family and friends can save $13 per adult ticket.
Children up to age 12 admitted for free.
You’ll need a coupon code for this discount. Submit an email to request a discount code.
More info

Wizards & Revels Weekend

October 17 and 18
Sorcerers and Spell Casters costume contest. Play DND and other fantasy games.
Children up to age 12 are admitted for free with coupon code or coat donation.
More info

Halloween Daze and Spooky Knights

October 31 and November 1
Huge costume party, plus trick or treating. Costume contest where you can win tickets for a return visit, plus other prizes.
Free child admission (up to age 12) with no coupon required.
More info

Time Travelers’ Weekend

November 14 and 15
Costume contest where you can win tickets for a return visit, plus other prizes. Free child admission (up to age 12) with a school supply donation.
More info

Final Huzzah

November 21 and 22
Free child admission with a canned food donation.
More info

Photo courtesy of Carolina Renaissance Festival

Carolina Renaissance Festival Features

Carolina Renaissance Festival is one of the Charlotte area’s biggest and most popular fall events. Enjoy an open air Artisan Market, games, rides, jousting knights, falconry, feasting and more.

Cirque du Sewer (new!)

Trained cats and rats! All season long

Blades & Bravery (new!)

Knives! Swords! Danger! October 3, 4, 10 and 11.

Gabs the Fool (new!)

Clowning, circus and comedy. October 17, 18, 24 and 25.

Tiny Girl Big Show (new!)

Acrobatics, circus and comedy. October 31, and November 1, 7 and 8.

The Lynx Show (new!)

Comedy sword swallowing. November 14, 15, 21 and 22.

Jousting Knights

Three times a day knights will battle for the Queen’s honor int he shire’s tournament arena.

Artisan Market

Shop for gifts for others or for yourself! You’ll find glass blowing, blacksmithing, cobblers, potters, candle makers, sculptors, leather workers, jewelers and more.

Falconry

Falconry was known as the “sport of kings.” Find out why as you watch these majestic birds in flight.

Sea Fairy Mermaids

Catch a glimpse of living mermaids as they perform underwater!

More entertainment

There are fourteen stages of entertainment, including comedy, music, dance vaudeville and circus entertainment. Over 1,000 costumed villagers roam the streets as well!

All Day Play

Ride the world’s largest rocking house, try out Da Vinci’s Flying Machine. Sail on the Voyage to the New World. Ride a camel. Meet the animals in the Village Petting Farm. Try out archery, ride the Pirate’s Assault Catapult, or throw a tomato at a surly peasant.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Kelsey says

    The Renaissance Festival is always such a great time with family. Such a neat experience for all ages. Thank you for the opportunity to enter your contest. I appreciate all you do and put out week after week. We have found some hidden gems in your newsletters that we otherwise wouldn’t have known about.

  8. Ekaterina says

    Hear ye! Hear ye! I beg, I plead,
    These Renaissance Fest tickets are all I need!
    My heart is aching, my soul’s in distress,
    For I simply MUST go to the Renaissance Fest!

  12. Stephanie C says

    I would love the opportunity to be the cool aunt that takes my college nephew to the Renaissance Festival!!

    #Ilovecharlotteonthecheap

  20. Lisa C. Durden says

    HEAR YE, HEAR YE 🏰
    I humbly request entry to the kingdom. I bring enthusiasm, questionable medieval dance skills, and a serious appetite for turkey legs.
    😂🍗👑

  25. Anna Huston says

    New NC resident who would LOVE the chance to check this out!! Big fan of the newsletter-been a huge help navigating the fun events to look at.

  26. Ashleigh Bryant says

    My liege…. I humbly come to you upon this day of Wednesday and request access to the kingdom of Carolina Renaissance. Huzzah!

  33. Deyawna Rollinson says

    Would really love to take my kids to experience this, they love mermaids and fairies and would love to see everyone dressed up. Entering for a chance to win tickets!!!!

  48. Parris Willingham says

    My youngest daughter and I went last year and I would LOVE to go back!! It was so much fun!!

  55. Jeanne says

    The Carolina Ren Fest is a great, beautiful, wooded venue with plenty of parking! Arrive early if you want to park near the entrance. Plan for walking on somewhat uneven terrain. There are multiple stages with shows all day long. The falcon show is my favorite. Look over the show schedule ahead of time to plan your day.

  63. Lisa Piper says

    For the love of RenFest let me count the ways….

    1. My Angel wings are beautiful and ready to be worn
    2. I made a new crown of flowers that everyone will adore.
    3. Turkey Legs i dream of every night in my sleep
    4. I am a flight attendant so you know I’m broke…lol and this would
    Be the best thing in the world to me

  67. Heidi C. says

    Hoping to win this to be able to share this experience with my friends who haven’t been since middle school. Would love to attend as adults ❤️

  68. Jeff B Rowe says

    It’s been 3 years since we’ve been, hoping we can make it back this year, always a festive time!! Love the bird show!!!!!

  72. Tracy Weeks says

    Hoping to win some tickets so I can go to the Renaissance Faire this year! Miss the food and fun!

  77. Meredith Ray says

    One of my favorite annual traditions in Charlotte! Looking forward to another beautiful year at Fairhaven!

  85. Vickie Valentine says

    Fingers crossed! Been entering every year for a chance to win tickets! Thank you so much!! Renfest time 😊 ❤️

  86. Danita Johnson says

    So much, Wonder and entertainment! My family cannot wait for this time of year to participate in all of the festivities that the renaissance festival provides!

  87. Barbara J. Walker says

    I am hoping that my 3rd time entering is a charm! Would really like to go and take my NC family.

  88. Brandi Morgan says

    I love The Ren Fest 🎭 and all of the awesome shows and entertainment. Thank you Charlotte the Cheap 🥰

  94. Christina D. says

    Good lords and ladies, I seek to take my young son and a merry band of his companions forth to celebrate the day of his birth! To be blessed with these tickets would lighten the burden upon my coin purse most greatly. Huzzah! ⚔️🏰🍗

  97. Randall Watson says

    Would love to take the Grandbabies and enjoy some of the fun activities. Haven’t been in over 10 years

  99. Jan H. says

    Third times a charm! Thank you for offering a chance for free tickets! Hopefully this year is the year!!! Huzzah! 🥳 🥳🥳

  122. Sydney Pauley says

    I am so excited to go again to the Carolina Ren Faire this year. I am especially excited for the new shows like Tiny Girl Big Show!! I would love the opportunity to win free tickets for me and my friends! Thank you.

  138. Katrina Ameigh says

    Last year I took my daughter for the first time and she loved it! The whimsy, fairies and mermaids are perfect for kids. We would love to go again!

  152. Andruw Means says

    Fair thee well! Looking to join thee in generous good tidings and most high spirits for a eventful day of fun and adventure for my wife, niece and nephew and I!

  181. Gaby says

    I was born in the wrong century. I have the social skills of a medieval peasant, the appetite of a king, and the budget of a jester. Free tickets would complete the transformation 😉

  188. Stacey Bradam says

    My family and I have never been to the renaissance fest . I would love to win and take them for a fun family day .

  189. Angie Sexton says

    I’ve never been to the Renaissance Fair in all my 54 yrs and I’d love win tickets and take my teenage kids!

  197. Renee Robbins says

    I used to work the front gate for 9 seasons and love the festival!! My son also worked there a couple of seasons. We would love to take the girls!! Huzzah!!

  201. Sebastian says

    My friends and I went last year and it was such a blast! Can’t wait to take more friends and my bf this year!

  206. Linda Olsen says

    I would love to go before my knee replacement surgery in October! Hope I win these tickets. I havent seen the Renaissance Fair since I lived in NY

  214. Sommers Blake says

    commenting for a chance to win tickets! Haven’t been able to go the last 2 years and really hoping to go this year, I really enjoyed it when we went!

  222. Michelle Evans says

    My family and I have never been to the Ren Fest, and we would love to go! We hear nothing but good things! 🫶🏽🤞🏽

  225. Chris M. says

    Our first date was spent at the festival 9 years ago.
    Lots of great memories and she still likes me!!!
    ❤️❤️

  226. Chris M. says

    Great memories of our first date at the festival 9 years ago!
    FYI…..she still likes me!!❤️❤️

  258. LaShondra Huey says

    We have never been to the Renaissance Festival before. I hope we win, I would love to experience this with my kiddos.

  266. Alejandro A Mercure says

    I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER AND SON IN LAW AND A MY FRIEND TO THE FESTIVAL!
    I HAVEN’T BEEN SINCE I TOOK MY DAUGHTER AND MOM 16 YEARS AGO. I AM DISABLED NOW AND EVEN THOUGH I WONT BE ABLE TO DO ALL THE FUN STUFF MY DAUGHTER AND I DID BACK THEN WITH MY MOM, I WOULD STILL LOVE TO GO ! ! ! ! !

  270. Chris Kellogg says

    LETS GO!!!. Love ren fest season. Especially new shows coming. Hoping to go more than once this year.

  277. Paul P says

    Shooting my shot like Step Curry for these Ren Tickets. I’d love to take the kids and have a ye olde good time.

  287. Courtney Fortenberry says

    Ren faire is always a good time. Would be awesome to see all the new things they have this year!

  300. Leticia Perez says

    This is such a great event. It’s been about 15 years since I’ve attended. I’m excited to visit again, especially with all the new entertainment that has been added.

  302. Luciano Fenu says

    I love the renaissance fair and I have gone every year since I was a kid. I love bringing my own kids now but I do kinda miss it when it was way less crowded.

  304. Angela H says

    Just noticed my post right before this one had my name typed wrong, sorry!

    “Thank you for the chance to win tickets to this years ren faire!”

  308. Tab Henry says

    I would love to go to the ren faire this year!! I’ve never been while here in Carolina but I had an incredible time at the fairs in Louisiana and I already have my outfit planned!!

  319. Wakida Jackson says

    I always miss the Renaissance Fair have always wanted to experience it and would be a plus to take my mom for her 65th birthday which is opening weekend.

  322. Jordan Ray says

    This is my last fall here in Charlotte after growing up here my whole life I’d love to be able to go!!

  324. Paul Seyler-Schmidt says

    Lived here 15 years and still have get to get to the Ren Fest. Maybe this will be the year!

  345. Carrie Bolin says

    Oh how I would LOVE to win tickets to the Renn Fest!! My step daughter has always wanted to go but before me, no one would ever take her!! I would love the opportunity to win tickets for her and I so I can show her all the exciting things there are to do and see. And to get to spoil her just a little 🤗

  366. Nicole M says

    I can’t believe it has already been a year! I am so ready to go check out all the new acts and hang with some of our favorites.

  372. Juliette Glasow says

    Forsooth, we are easily distracted by side-quests! Bid us journey to yonder revelry at the Renaissance festival! By my troth, we shall not fail thee on our noble quest to spread mirth and merriment across the grounds….

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